A professional boxer who retrained as a mental health nurse has clinched a national award for his work spanning more than 20 years in the community.

Mark Field, of Buckley, who works at the St George Healthcare Group in Chester, was awarded the RCNi 'Special Recognition' award for his outstanding work in running Buckley Boxing Club, which aims to help children and young people with mental health disorders.

Mark was chosen as the winner of the 'Special Recognition' award from over 700 entries, for his successful programme to provide young people with a secure environment to manage their mental health issues.

Mark has struggled with rapid bipolar disorder himself, and understood the mental wellbeing benefits of physical activity in keeping discharged patients out of hospitals.

Buckley Boxing Club has now been running for over 20 years with a growing team of volunteers.

The annual RCNi Nurse Awards are the UK's most prestigious nursing accolades, recognising nurses who go above and beyond daily to save lives, provide outstanding care for patients and transform nursing for the better.

The RCNi Nurse Awards ambassador and TV presenter, Kate Garraway was on hand to present Mark with the award at The Park Plaza in London on Wednesday, alongside special guest, actress and RCN ambassador Emilia Clarke.

On receiving the award, Mark said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard that I'd won, I just can't put this feeling into words. I've been working on this initiative for over 22 years and there will be many more years to come. We've seen hundreds of kids come to the club over the years and now some are even coaches themselves, giving their time to helping others. It's just fantastic that we've been recognised."

Rachel Armitage, managing director at RCNi, said: "We are overjoyed to honour Mark for his hard work to build a community for young people with mental health disorders. He is a magnificent example of a nurse who has gone above and beyond in his specialism and we hope that he inspires many more people to consider a rewarding career in the nursing profession."

Kate Garraway, RCNi Nurse Awards Ambassador 2018: said: "At a time when nurses are working harder than ever, it was an honour to present the RCNi Nurse Awards and give nurses like Mark the recognition they deserve. Every single winner had an inspirational story, pioneering idea or outstanding project that showed just how important and heroic our nurses really are."

The search for Britain's nursing heroes began in December 2017. Nurses were able to nominate themselves or their colleagues across 14 different categories ranging from mental health and cancer, to emergency and student nursing.